The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy is exploring options for a Package Performance Demonstration (PPD) to enhance public trust in the safety of spent nuclear fuel transportation. This Request for Information seeks to assess the feasibility of conducting a PPD that would involve subjecting a nuclear transportation cask to extreme, hypothetical accident conditions, as defined by federal regulations.
The scope of work involves demonstrating the resilience of SNF transportation casks via real-life testing. The key tasks include identifying and preparing an appropriate cask, designing and executing an accident test scenario, and collecting and analyzing data. The goal is to simulate conditions set forth in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 71, encompassing rail, heavy-truck, and barge transportation.
There are no specific eligibility criteria or qualifications mentioned in the RFI. However, it is implied that respondents should have expertise in nuclear energy, transportation cask design, or related fields.
This opportunity is funded through the Department of Energy, with financial details not specified. The contract type is likely to be a fixed-price or cost-reimbursement arrangement.
Interested parties are invited to respond to this RFI by the provided deadline. Responses should be concise, focusing on the technical approach, relevant experience, and capabilities.
The evaluation of responses will consider the quality of the proposed technical solution, the respondent's qualifications, and the feasibility of the proposed effort. Cost considerations may also factor into the evaluation.
For clarification or further information, interested parties can contact David Hawkes at DOE-PPD@id.doe.gov.
This summary provides an overview of the DOE's request for information on conducting a Package Performance Demonstration, outlining the key details and contact information for prospective respondents.